Process and device for moving and positioning sheets of glass

ABSTRACT

In a system for cutting glass sheets into shapes there is at least one cutting site (A, B). In order to align the glass sheet which is to be cut or the glass sheet shape into a defined position, on the edge of the tables I and II there are contact edges ( 21, 44, 45 ). In order to move the glass sheets and the glass sheet shapes into contact with the contact edges ( 21, 44, 45 ) the tables I, II are aligned sloping down toward the contact edges ( 21, 44, 45 ) so that the glass sheets and glass sheet shapes slide on air cushions produced between the glass sheets or glass sheet shapes and the tables (I, II) in contact with the contact edges ( 21, 44, 45 ). The glass sheets or glass sheet shapes which adjoin the contact edges ( 21, 45 ) are coupled by force-fit to the conveyor belts ( 20 ) which are provided in the area of the contact edges ( 21, 45 ) and then moved to the cutting site (A, B) which is located following the table (I, II). When there are two cutting sites (A, B) the table ( 11 ) can be inclined between the two cutting sites (A, B) such that the intersection point which is used as the reference point ( 43 ) between the two contact edges ( 44, 45 ) is the lowest point of the table (II).

[0001] The invention relates to a process and a device for moving andpositioning glass sheets in conjunction with the cutting of sheets ofglass (glass cutting). The glass sheets under consideration here are forexample float glass and laminated glass. In known devices for cuttingglass sheets (“glass cutting tables”) as are known for example from EP 0564 758 A, to move and position the glass sheets conveyor belts and/orconveyor rollers are used which are recessed into the support surfacesof the glass cutting tables and which are raised over the supportsurface when a glass sheet is to be transported. These conveyor beltsare also known in devices for cutting laminated glass (WO 95/16640 A=EP0 708 741 A).

[0002] To move glass sheets on glass cutting tables, providing driversfor the glass sheets on the cutting bridge is furthermore known. Vacuumsheads mounted on the cutting bridge (EP 0 192 290 A), or drivers whichcan be placed on one edge of a glass sheet (US-A-5,944,244) are known.

[0003] Glass sheets must be positioned on glass cutting tables not onlyaccurately, but also promptly. This is not possible with the knowndevices or is possible only with considerable effort. Here it must beconsidered that glass sheets with a weight of up to 1000 kg (laminatedglass) must be moved and positioned accurately. Furthermore, it can beconsidered that the glass sheets on the glass cutting tables must bemoved in different directions, for example to make X and Y cuts.

[0004] The object of the invention is to devise a process and a deviceof the initially mentioned type which allow accurate, prompt and simplemovement of glass sheets (float glass and laminated glass) in theirpositioning and which do not require complex conveying means for movingand positioning the glass sheets to be cut or glass sheet shapes to befurther cut. This object is achieved as claimed in the invention with aprocess which has the features of claim 1.

[0005] With respect to the device, this object is achieved with a devicewhich has the features of the main apparatus claim.

[0006] Preferred and advantageous developments of the process as claimedin the invention on the one hand and the device as claimed in theinvention on the other are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0007] The process as claimed in the invention takes place such that thesupport surface on which the glass sheet which is to be moved lies istilted such that it slopes in the direction to a defined reference line(contact edge) and the glass sheet which lies on it slides up to thisreference line (contact edge). The glass sheet or a glass sheet shapeare then positioned by adjoining at least one reference line (contactedge).

[0008] By choosing the angle of the tilt of the support surface and/orby choosing the coefficient of friction between the glass sheet and thesurface of the support surface, glass sheets of varied size and weightcan be taken into account.

[0009] In one preferred embodiment the glass sheets slide on an aircushion which is formed between the support surface and the glass sheet.An air cushion as the sliding surface for glass sheets also has theadvantage that the friction between the glass sheet and the supportsurface can be set by setting the pressure with which air flows out ofthe air cushion openings in the support surface to the value which isdesired at the time and if necessary can be changed during the movementof the glass sheet. This offers for example the possibility of reducingthe friction at the start of the movement of the glass sheet and ofincreasing the friction before the end of the movement of the glasssheet, for example when it is approaching the reference line (contactedge) by lowering the pressure of the air which forms the air cushion.

[0010] In the procedure as claimed in the invention in one embodiment aglass sheet which rests on at least one contact edge which forms thereference line is moved by force-fitted coupling of the glass sheet to aconveyor means by defined distances in order to feed it in a definedmanner to the cutting point at which the glass sheet is cut (scratched).

[0011] The process as claimed in the invention also makes it possible tocontinue to move and position the cut glass sheets, especially parts ofglass sheets which are obtained after cutting the traverses (X cuts) andto feed them accurately positioned to the next cutting point where Ycuts are made.

[0012] The glass sheet shapes are positioned preferably such that aglass sheet shape is moved by inclining the support surface after thefirst cutting site with one of its comers at a reference point which isdefined for example by two contact edges which are at an angle of 90° toone another. To the extent the device is affected, the support surfacesbefore and after the cutting devices, therefore the feed table of thefirst cutting device (for X cuts), the second table with which the glasssheet shapes after the first cut (X cut) are moved to the second cuttingdevice (for Y cuts), and finally the delivery table in the direction toat least one contact edge is tilted down or optionally is madeadditionally to be able to tilt so that they are aligned at an angle tothe horizontal.

[0013] Furthermore in the device as claimed in the invention, on theedge of each table at least one contact edge is formed as the referenceline which is generally aligned normally to the downstream cutting site.This reference line (contact edge) is for example a conveyor belt. Aglass sheet which is to be moved by the conveyor belt along the contactedge or a glass sheet shape is coupled to the respective conveyor belt.This coupling takes place for example via at least one coupling suctionhead which is movably guided on a rail parallel to the conveyor belt andcan be loaded in the direction to the conveyor belt after being appliedto the glass sheet, so that between the conveyor belt and the glasssheet frictional adherence is formed which makes it possible to move theglass sheet by sliding using the conveyor belt on the support surface.There is no separate drive for the carriage which bears the couplingsuction head to move it along the contact edge.

[0014] Other details and features as well as advantages of the inventionderive from the following description of one preferred embodiment withrespect to the drawings in which a cutting unit (for laminated glass) isshown.

[0015]FIG. 1 shows a (laminated) glass cutting unit in an overhead view,

[0016]FIG. 2 shows a (laminated) glass cutting unit in an oblique view,

[0017]FIG. 3 schematically shows a suction head for coupling a glasssheet in a conveyor belt,

[0018]FIG. 4 shows a modified embodiment with a second conveyor means inthe area in front of the first cutting site, and

[0019]FIG. 5 schematically shows a suction head on the conveyor devicefrom FIG. 4.

[0020] In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 the illustrated unit forcutting laminated glass is made. This means that at each cutting sitethere are not only means for scratching the laminated glass fromoverhead and underneath, but also means for breaking the scratchedlaminated glass and for cutting the plastic film between the two panesof glass of the laminated glass.

[0021] If the unit as claimed in the invention is designed as one forcutting of normal glass, it is generally such that the scratching of theglass sheet along the cutting contour takes place separately from thebreaking of the scratched glass sheets which is carried out at thecutting sites A, B into glass shapes as is described for example in US 5857 603 A. The cutting unit for laminated glass on the one hand has atable I on which glass sheets are placed in the direction of the arrow10. The table I can also be folded up around its inlet-side edge 11 sothat on it glass sheets from a glass sheet storage are set up on supporthooks 12 on this edge 11 and then by folding back the table 1 into theinitial position which is essentially horizontal they can be shifted.

[0022] On the edge 13 which is opposite the edge 11 which is equippedwith the hook 12 the table I adjoins a stationary strip 14.

[0023] The table I and the stationary strip 14 are preferably made as anair cushion table. i.e. there are openings 15 distributed over theirsupport surfaces, out of which compressed air flows so that a glasssheet lying on the table I floats on an air cushion.

[0024] The support surface of the Table 1 can be equipped for examplewith rollers like the tables II and II still to be explained on itssupport surface.

[0025] The table I, more accurately its support surface, is tilted inits base position (initial position) down towards the contact edge 12 orcan be tilted around the edge 13 which lies in the area of the joint 16between the table I and the strip 14, in order to align the table I suchthat it is tilted down towards the contact edge 21. For example, theedge 11 of the table I equipped with the hooks 12 is higher or can beraised so that the table I slopes down in the direction to the strip 14.A glass sheet which lies on the table I which is tilted beforehand orwhich is slanted by tilting slides on the table I, for example on an aircushion, “down” until it rests against the contact edge 21 which isformed by the strand 22 of the conveyor belt 20. This contact edge 21which is formed by the conveyor belt 20 forms a reference line anddefines the location of the glass sheet before it is moved to thecutting site A (cutting device for glass or laminated glass).

[0026] If the support surface of the table I is tilted down towards thecontact edge 21 in the initial position, the cutting device A islikewise tilted and with the horizontal includes the same angle as thetable I (it rises away from the contact edge 21).

[0027] For reliable movement of the glass sheets on the table I (and theother tables II and III) small angles are sufficient, especially in aircushion tables. For example the edge 11 of the table I for a tablelength of 3-5 m can be roughly 2 cm higher than the edge 13. To move theglass sheet G on the table I in the direction to the cutting site A(compare FIG. 3), on a frame-mounted guide rail 25 which is alignedparallel to the conveyor belt 20 at least one carriage 30 on which atleast one suction head 31 is located is guided to be able to movefreely. The suction head 31 can be lowered for resting against the glasssheet G which lies on the support surface of the table I which is formedfor example by a felt layer 18 by a hydraulic motor 33 which isinstalled in the carriage 30 (arrow 34, FIG. 3) and can then be loadedusing another (arrow 35, FIG. 3) hydraulic motor 32 which is installedin the carriage 30 such that it pulls the glass sheet G against thestrand 22 of the conveyor belt 20 which forms the contact edge 21(reference line), by which the glass sheet G is coupled by force-fit tothe conveyor belt 20. By moving the conveyor belt 20 the glass sheet Gcan be moved on the table I, the friction being kept small by the aircushion of the table I. Just before the cutting point A on the table Ithere is a device 35 which detects the front edge of a glass sheetswhich is to be moved in order to define the reference position. Insteadof this device there can also be a simple stop which is moved away afterfixing the reference position, for example, lowered.

[0028] By moving the conveyor belt 20 with which the glass sheet iscoupled via the carriage 30 to the suction head 31 (there can be aseparate drive for the carriage 30, but it is generally not essential),the glass sheet is moved gradually to the cutting point A and X cuts(traverses) are made in the glass sheet. The extent of feed of the glasssheet G to the cutting point A is detected with a path transducer whichis coupled to the conveyor belt 20, especially to its drive (incrementaltransducer) and based on the paths of the glass sheet which have beendetected in this way it is aligned relative to the cutting site A suchthat it is cut at the desired site. Before displacement of the glasssheet G starts, the table I is moved (tilted) into its location which isparallel to the alignment of the cutting site A.

[0029] The resulting glass strips (glass shapes) travel onto the tableII. This table II is aligned in its base position which it assumes whenexecuting the cutting processes at the cutting site A in a plane withthe table I, i.e. it is tilted to the horizontal by the same angle asTable I and the cutting device of the cutting site A, its also slopingdown towards its contact edge. This alignment of the table II can alsobe induced by lifting in the area of the its edge 40 which is adjacentto the cutting site A.

[0030] To convey a glass sheet shape away from the cutting site A theTable II can be inclined after each cutting process which is executed atthe cutting site A such that the glass sheet shape on the table II whichnow is also aligned sloping down away from the cutting site A or itsedge 40 slides out of the position located first directly to the rightnext to the cutting site A into the position shown by the broken line inthe drawings. To do this the table II is raised in the area of the edge40 which is located next to the cutting site A.

[0031] In addition, the table II in the area of its edge 41 can also beraised so that a glass sheet shape slides reliably on the table II incontact with the two contact edges 44, 45 which are the two strands ofthe conveyor belts 20. Thus, the one comer of the glass sheet shape islocated at a reference point 43, in the example the intersection pointof the two contact edges 44, 45. At this instant the comer which formsthe reference point 43 is the lowest point of the table II since (as aresult) the corner of the table II has been raised.

[0032] A limit switch 47 establishes that a glass sheet shape rests onthe reference edge 45. As soon as this is ascertained, the edge 40 whichis adjacent to the cutting site A and also the edge 41 of the table IIwhich is normal thereto is lowered so that the table II is again alignedflush with the table I (lying in one plane).

[0033] In this embodiment, on the two contact edges 44, 45 of the tableII there are conveyor belts 20 to which suction heads 31 on carriages 30(compare FIG. 3) are assigned, as was described above for Table 1. Thesuction head 31 on the contact edge 45 of the table II which is normalto the cutting site B and which is opposite (away from) and parallel tothe cutting site A is essential since via this carriage 30 with at leastone suction head 31 and the assigned conveyor belt 20 a glasssheet/glass sheet shape is gradually transported to the cutting site B(second cutting device) in order to execute the cutting processes in theY direction. There can also be a sensor 35 for detecting the forwardedge of the glass sheet shape in front of the cutting site B.

[0034] The conveyor belt 20 on the contact edge 44 of the table IIperpendicular to the cutting site A is designed essentially to supportthe motion of a glass sheet shape to the reference point 43, especiallywhen a glass sheet shape is to be tilted and should rest with one or twocomers on one or two conveyor belts 20 which form the contact edges 44,45. The carriage 30 which is provided in the embodiment from FIG. 1 atthe contact edge 41 with the suction head 31 is not absolutely necessaryand is generally not provided.

[0035] The table III which is located following the cutting site B isflush with the table II and is first tilted rising away from the cuttingsite B. It is important that the tables II and III lie in a (single)(for example tilted) plane. In order to facilitate the removal of theglass sheet shape obtained after cutting by the cutting site B, thetable III can even be lowered after executing the cutting process in thearea of its edge 50. In the table III lifting strips 55 can also berecessed for tilting the glass sheet shape up. In the embodiment shownin FIG. 1 on each of the contact edges 21 and 45 there are carriages 30with at least one suction head 31 (on the carriages 30 there can also betwo suction heads 31 each). It should be pointed out that this is aminimum requirement since there can also be two or more carriages 30with at least one suction head 31 each on the contact edge 21 and/or thecontact edge 45 in order to reliably move large and/or heavy glasssheets (compare FIG. 2). Generally however one carriage 30 per contactedge is sufficient, especially when it engages in the middle area of theglass sheet and pulls it with relatively great force against the strand22 of the respective conveyor belt 20 which forms the contact edge 21,44, 45 (reference line). If for example there are two carriages 30 (FIG.2) with at least one suction head 31 each on the contact edges 21 and45, they can also alternately engage glass sheets or glass sheet shapes.

[0036] In order to move the carriages 30 back into their initialposition, the respective conveyor belt 20 is reversed, i.e. it runs inthe opposite direction and the carriage 30 is coupled via a driver tothe conveyor belt 20 by pressing the driver against the conveyor belt20.

[0037] The movement of the tables, especially of the tables II and III,preferably takes place by movement of their frames which are locatedunderneath their support surfaces by hydraulic cylinders which aresupported on the bottom engaging the frames.

[0038] The operating sequence of the (laminated) glass cutting systemwith tables which can be inclined or which are inclined in their initialposition can be described by way of example with reference to FIG. 2 asfollows:

[0039] 1. Table 1 is folded up around its edge 11 to accept a glasssheet from a stack 51 of glass sheets. The glass sheet is fixed on thetable I via several suction heads 52.

[0040] 2. The table I is folded back into the initial position whichslopes down toward the contact edge 21. The glass sheet then slides onthe air cushion toward the contact edge 21.

[0041] 3. In this position the glass sheet is coupled by force-fit tothe conveyor belt 20 by the suction head 31 on the carriage 30 (or bythe suction heads on the two carriages).

[0042] 4. By actuating the conveyor belt 20 the glass sheet is advanceduntil it is correctly aligned relative to the cutting device A for onecutting process.

[0043] 5. Then, when the tables I and II are flush with one another(both are tilted down towards the contact edge 21 and 44) the glasssheet shape is cut by the cutting device of the cutting site A. Theresulting glass sheet shape (“traverse”) lies on the table II.

[0044] 6. The table II is raised in the area of its edge 40 which isadjacent to the cutting site A so that it also slopes down obliquelytoward the contact edge 45.

[0045] 7. The glass sheet shape moves (slides) on the table II into theposition in which it adjoins the contact edge 45 and the contact edge44.

[0046] 8. By raising the table II in the area of its edge 41 adjacent tothe cutting site B the table II is tilted such that its comer betweenthe contact edges 44, 45 is the lowest point. This ensures that theglass sheet shape with its comer is located at the reference point 43and adjoins the contact edges 44, 45 with two edges which run towardsits comers.

[0047] 9. When the glass sheet shape moves on the table II the conveyorbelt 20 is actuated in order to support this motion, especially when theglass sheet shape is inclined.

[0048] 10. The glass sheet shape on the conveyor belt 20 in the area ofthe contact edge 45 is fixed by force-fit by the suction head 31 on thecarriage 30 in the area of the contact edge 45, while it is located withits comer at the reference point 43.

[0049] 11. The table II is moved back into its initial position which isflush with the table I and which declines towards the contact edge 44.The table II therefor rises toward the cutting site B in this positionfrom the contact edge 44 toward the edge 41.

[0050] 12. By actuating the conveyor belt 20 the glass sheet shape isadvanced towards the cutting site B.

[0051] 13. The glass sheet shape is further cut into shapes by thecutting device at the cutting site B.

[0052] 14. During this cutting process the tables II and III are alignedrising in a plane from the contact edge 44 of the table II toward theedge 50 of the table III.

[0053] 15. To remove the shapes which are formed following the cuttingsite B the table III can be tilted such that it is aligned sloping downfrom the cutting site B toward the edge 50. Using the lifting strips 55glass sheet shapes can be lifted off the table III and can be alignedessentially vertically.

[0054] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 in the area of the supportsurface of the table I there is another conveyor device 60. Thisadditional conveyor device 60 can be used to move the glass sheet to thefirst cutting site A in combination with the conveyor device with theconveyor belt 20 and the suction head 30. The second conveyor means 60can however also be used to move another glass sheet to the cutting siteA at the same time or independently of the transport of a glass sheet bythe conveyor device 20 with the suction head 30 on contact surface 21.

[0055] In particular the second conveyor means 60 in the area over thesupport surface of the table I is built as follows: On the beam 62 whichis mounted stationary on the table I there is a continuously turningconveyor belt 20 for example in the form of a toothed belt at a distanceover the support surface of the table I with a contact surface 21 whichis aligned essentially normally to the support surface I. Above theconveyor belt 20 on the beam 62 which can be mounted on the one hand onthe table I and on the other on the beam 64 of the cutting site A thereis a guide rail 25 for (at least) one carriage 66. This carriage 66bears at least one suction head 31 which can be lowered onto a glasssheet G which lies on the support surface of the table I (arrow 34).Here the arrangement of the conveyor belt 20 is such that it has adistance from the support surface of the table I which is so great thatthe thickest glass sheet G can be moved through under it.

[0056] In order to couple the carriage 66 to the suction head 31 withthe conveyor belt 20, on the carriage 66 there is a hydraulic motor 68which presses a plunger 70 against the strand 72 of the conveyor belt 20which is adjacent to the carriage 66 so that the carriage moves with theconveyor belt and thus also a glass sheet G on which the suction head 31of the carriage 66 has been placed is entrained.

[0057] In order to align a glass sheet G parallel to the direction ofmotion of the conveyor belt 20, there can be lowerable stops 80, forexample contact pins, which define a “zero line” (reference line) andagainst which the glass sheet G is brought into contact.

[0058] It goes without saying that instead of one carriage 66 with atleast one suction head 31 there can also be two or more carriages 66each with at least one suction head 31 in order to enable safe transportof glass sheets G by the additional conveyor means 60 in the area of thesupport surface of the table I.

[0059] In one modified embodiment the conveyor means 60 can beadjustable instead of stationary so that its distance from the contactedge 21 which is formed by the conveyor belt 20 can be changed.

[0060] In summary, one embodiment of the invention can be described asfollows:

[0061] In a system for cutting glass sheets into glass sheet shapesthere is at least one cutting site A, B. In order to align the glasssheet which is to be cut or the glass sheet shape into a definedposition, on the edge of the tables I and II there are contact edges 21,44, 45. In order to move the glass sheets and the glass sheet shapesinto contact with the contact edges 21, 44, 45 the tables I, II arealigned sloping down toward the contact edges 21, 44, 45 so that theglass sheets and glass sheet shapes slide on air cushions producedbetween the glass sheets or glass sheet shapes and the tables I, II incontact with the contact edges 21, 44, 45. The glass sheets or glasssheet shapes which adjoin the contact edges 21, 45 are coupled byforce-fit to the conveyor belts 20 which are provided in the area of thecontact edges 21, 45 and then moved to the cutting site A, B which islocated following the table I, II. When there are two cutting sites A, Bthe table II can be inclined between the two cutting sites A, B suchthat the intersection point which is used as the reference point 43between the two contact edges 44, 45 is the lowest point of the tableII.

1. Process for moving and positioning of glass sheets (G) and glasssheet shapes when cutting glass sheets (G) on a device for cutting ofglass sheets (G) with at least one cutting site (A, B) and with supportsurfaces (I, II, III) which are located on either side of the cuttingsite (A, B) for the glass sheets (G) which are to be cut and for theglass sheet shapes obtained after the sheets are cut, characterized inthat a glass sheet or a glass sheet shape is allowed to slide into aposition defined by the contact edge (21, 43) on a support surface (I,II) which is tilted down to the horizontal in the direction to a contactedge (21, 45).
 2. Process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the glass sheet(G) slides on an air cushion which is formed between it and the supportsurface (I, II).
 3. Process as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least onesupport surface (I, II) for moving the glass sheet (G) is aligned or isbeing aligned into a position which is defined by the contact edge (21,45) sloping down towards this contact edge (21, 45).
 4. Process asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the support surface (I) which is located infront of the first cutting site (A) is aligned or is being alignedsloping down toward the contact edge (21) which is located in front ofthe cutting site (A).
 5. Process as claimed in claim 1, wherein thesupport surface (II) which is located between the cutting sites (A, B)is aligned or is being aligned sloping down toward the contact edge (44,45) which is located in front of the cutting site (A).
 6. Process asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the contact edge (21, 45) is alignedessentially normally to the direction of action of the downstreamcutting site (A, B).
 7. Process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the glasssheet (G) is detected in the area of its edge adjoining the contact edge(21, 45) and is moved to the cutting site (A, B) .
 8. Process as claimedin claim 7, wherein the glass sheet (G) is moved gradually to thecutting site (A, B) and a cutting process is carried outer after eachadvance step.
 9. Process as claimed in claim 7, wherein the glass sheet(G) is coupled by force-fit to the conveyor means (20) with its edgewhich adjoins the contact edge (21, 45).
 10. Process as claimed in claim9, wherein the glass sheet (G) is moved by the conveyor means (20) inthe direction which is normal to the direction of action of the cuttingsite (A, B).
 11. Process as claimed in claim 1, wherein there are twocutting sites (A, B) with action directions which are perpendicular toone another and wherein the support surface (II) is aligned obliquelybetween the two cutting sites (A, B) in order to allow a glass sheetshape which has been obtained by cutting the glass sheet (G) at thecutting site (A) to slide into a defined position (reference position).12. Process as claimed in claim 11, wherein the reference position isdefined by the glass sheet shape adjoining two contact edges (44, 45)which are perpendicular to one another.
 13. Process as claimed in claim12, wherein the corner of the glass sheet shape which is located on theedge of the glass sheet shape away from the first cutting site islocated at the intersection point (43) of the contact edges (44, 45).14. Process as claimed in claim 11, wherein the second support surface(II) is first raised in the area of its edge (40) adjacent to the firstcutting site (A) and then additionally on the edge (41) which isadjacent to the second cutting site (B) and which is perpendicular tothis edge (40) so that ultimately it is located sloping down toward theintersection point (43) of the contact edges (44, 45).
 15. Process asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the support surface (I) which is located infront of the first cutting site (A) is moved into the position parallelto the direction of action of the cutting site A before conveying theglass sheet to the cutting site.
 16. Process as claimed in claim 15,wherein the support surface (I) is moved into the position whichincludes an angle with the horizontal.
 17. Process as claimed in claim1, wherein before moving the glass sheet shape on the support surface(II) which is located between the cutting sites (A, B) in the directionto the second cutting site (B) this support surface is lowered in thearea of its edge (40) which is adjacent to the first cutting site (A).18. Process as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the cutting processesare being executed at the second cutting site (B) the support surface(III) which is located following the second cutting site (B) is alignedor is being aligned into one plane with the support surface (II) whichis located in front of the second cutting site (B).
 19. Process asclaimed in claim 18, wherein the support surfaces (II) and (III) arealigned into a position which includes an angle with the horizontal. 20.Process as claimed in claim 18, wherein to remove the glass shape sheetsfrom the support surface (III) which is located following the secondcutting site (B) the surface is aligned sloping down away from thecutting site (B).
 21. Process as claimed in claim 1, wherein an aircushion is formed between the support surfaces (I, II, III) and a glasssheet (G) and a glass sheet shape.
 22. (currently amended) Device forcarrying out the process as claimed in claim 1 with at least one cuttingdevice (A, B), with at least one support surface (I, II, III) which ismade as a table and with at least one means for conveying glass sheets(G) on the table (I, II, III), wherein at least one table (I, II) can bealigned or is aligned sloping down in the direction to the contact edge(21, 44, 45).
 23. Device as claimed in claim 22, wherein the table (I,II) can be aligned sloping down by raising in the area of its edge (11,40, 41) opposite the contact edge (21, 44, 45).
 24. Device as claimed inclaim 22, wherein in the area of the contact edge (21, 45) there is aconveyor means (20) for glass sheets (G) or glass sheet shapes. 25.Device as claimed in claim 24, wherein the conveyor means comprises acontinuous conveyor belt (20).
 26. Device as claimed in claim 25,wherein one strand (22) of the conveyor belt (20) forms the contact edge(21, 44, 45).
 27. Device as claimed in claim 24, wherein the contactedge (21, 46) which is equipped with the conveyor means (20) is alignednormally to the cutting device (A, B) which is adjacent to the table (I,II).
 28. Device as claimed in claim 24, wherein there is a device (30,31) for force-fitted coupling of the glass sheet (G) or the glass sheetshape to the conveyor means (20).
 29. Device as claimed in claim 28,wherein the device for force-fitted coupling has at least one driver(31) which engages the surface of the glass sheet (G) pointing up or theglass sheet shape and with which the glass sheet (G) or glass sheetshape can be loaded against the strand (22) of the conveyor belt (20)which forms the contact edge (21, 45).
 30. Device as claimed in claim29, wherein the driver is at least one suction head (31).
 31. Device asclaimed in claim 29, wherein the driver (31) is guided via a carriage(30) on a guide rail (25) which is aligned parallel to the conveyor belt(20).
 32. Device as claimed in claim 31, wherein at least one suctionhead (31) is mounted to be raised and lowered and to be able to movehorizontally in the carriage (30) by hydraulic motors (32, 33). 33.Device as claimed in claim 22, wherein the table (I) located in front ofthe first cutting device (A) can be set upright for shifting the glasssheet (G) into an essentially vertical position and then can be shiftedagain.
 34. Device as claimed claim 22, wherein the table (II) locatedbetween the two cutting devices (A, B) is made with two contact edges(44, 45), these contact edges (44, 45) each being opposite one of thecutting devices (A, B).
 35. Device as claimed in claim 22, wherein thesupport surface of the tables (I, II, III) is equipped with rollers. 36.Device as claimed in claim 22, wherein holes (15) which can be suppliedwith compressed air discharge in the support surface of the tables (I,II, III).
 37. Device as claimed in claim 36, wherein the support surfaceof the tables (I, II, III) is formed by a felt support (19).
 38. Deviceas claimed in one claim 22, wherein the first cutting device (A)includes an angle with the horizontal and wherein the tables (I, II)which are adjacent to this cutting device (A) include the same angle tothe horizontal as the cutting device (A) flush with one another and intheir initial position.
 39. Device as claimed in claim 22, wherein thetables (II, III) which are adjacent to the second cutting device (B) areflush with one another in their initial position and include the sameangle to the horizontal as the first cutting device (A).
 40. Device asclaimed in claim 22, wherein in the area of the first table (I) there isa conveyor device (60) which is aligned parallel to the conveyordirection (20, 30) on the edge of the table (1) and normal to the firstcutting site (A).
 41. Device as claimed in claim 40, wherein theconveyor means (60) has a continuous belt (20) which is provided at adistance from the support surface of the table (I) and there is at leastone carriage (66) with a means (31) for coupling the carriage (66) toone of the glass sheets (G) lying on the table (I).
 42. Device asclaimed in claim 41, wherein the means for coupling the carriage (66) tothe glass sheet (G) is at least one suction head (31).
 43. Device asclaimed in claim 41, wherein the carriage (66) can be coupled to thetransport belt (20).
 44. Device as claimed in claim 43, wherein tocouple the carriage (66) to the transport belt (20) on the carriage (66)there is a plunger which can be placed against the transport belt (20).45. Device as claimed in claim 40, wherein on the conveyor means (60)there is at least one stop (80) for aligning one edge of a glass sheet(G) which is to be transported, the glass sheet (G) being aligned bybeing placed against this stop (80).
 46. Device as claimed in claim 45,wherein the stop device has at least two lowerable pins (80).
 47. Deviceas claimed in claim 40, wherein the conveyor device (60) comprises abeam (62) which is mounted on the one hand on the machine frame and onthe other on the beam (64) of the first cutting device (A).